The Role of UN Documentation in Shaping Narratives at the International Criminal Court and the Implications for the Rights of the Accused

The International Criminal Court (icc) is an independent treaty-based international organisation acting in close cooperation with the United Nations (UN). To that end, organs of the Court have extensively relied on UN documentation in proceedings. These materials have been used to support grounds for the exercise of jurisdiction, demonstrate legal elements of crimes, and prove matters of fact. In recent practice, including in the situations of Palestine, Bangladesh/Myanmar, and Mali, UN materials have been used to establish legal and factual matters on the primary basis that they represent the ‘views of the international community’. This paper examines the ways in which Court organs rely on UN documentation in icc proceedings. It assesses the interplay of such information with rights of the accused. The paper concludes that in order to safeguard its credibility and the fairness of the proceedings, the Court should adopt specific guidelines relating to the evaluation of and admissibility of UN materials.

Comparing COVID-19 Control Model Between Iraq and Iran

The coronavirus pandemic has reached almost every country in the world. The pandemic and its response have had several short-term as well as long term impacts on human health, society, economy, and environment. For instance, the severe lockdowns imposed in certain countries have caused a widespread economic and humanitarian crisis. Therefore, it is crucial to draw important lessons from this pandemic to amplify our future preparedness and response capacities to similar situations. In this paper, the response strategies utilized by Iraq and Iran is analyzed with comparison of the impacts and outcomes of each strategy used for controlling the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The results show that travel ban, restrictive containment, and supports from the international community in controlling the spread of the virus had a more positive impact in Iraq compared to Iran.

The Fourth Reverse Wave?

This chapter examines the work of Samuel Huntington and his theory regarding waves of democratization. The chapter notes that the international community is witnessing a move away from the globalized world order that the era has facilitated (or de-globalization) and that de-democratization is seemingly occurring simultaneously. The chapter pays particular attention to the United States and actions that have been viewed as anti-democratic by the previous presidential administration, which has accelerated the global community's leeriness when it comes to international cooperation led by the U.S.

What Is Next for the International Community?

The chapter reiterates the problems presented throughout the work and makes predictions regarding the sustainability of the globalized world order as well as suggestions for future research. The future of the world order is in jeopardy and what comes after the globalized, post-modern community remains to be seen, but certainly seems to be moving toward a more isolated and competitive world order.

The current state of uranium legacy sites remediation issues in Uzbekistan

The uranium production legacy sites in Central Asia are a source of high-level radiological risks for the population and the environment. This fact is recognized by the international community, which is taking measures to remediate the sites. A number of international and national projects have been implemented in the Republic of Uzbekistan, but there is no single source that covers their main results. The article provides a brief overview of the main international initiatives, the results obtained and the lessons learned. The list of necessary measures for the nearest future to recover the environment and ensure normal conditions for the local population is given. The obtained material can be used for planning and implementation remediation of other uranium legacy sites in Central Asia, as well as similar objects around the world.

Ethnic Conflicts and Peacebuilding in Georgia

The chapter deals with the problem of territorial integrity of Georgia, particularly two adjusted regions, Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Today, 20% of Georgian territory is occupied. After the Russian-Georgian War in 2008, things changed radically to the detriment of Georgia's national interests, in particular, the occupation of Abkhazia and South Ossetia by Russia, their recognition as independent states, and ethnic cleansing of Georgians by disregarding the fundamental principles of international law. All these are known to the international community, and it became visible to the whole world. The issues are in the field of permanent national interests of Georgia. Under such situation, it became necessary to search for new ways of conflict resolution based only upon real politics.

How Did We Get Here?

This chapter will explore the globalization era and how the proliferation of digital technologies, transferal of information and services, as well as the establishment of the global market economy developed the interdependent, neoliberal world order that has existed for over 30 years. The chapter will examine leading theories on globalization as well as international organizations that committed much of the international community to each other via treaties, agreements, and alliances.

Alone, Together

This chapter provides insight into the contemporary problems plaguing the international community, including climate change and terrorism, and examines how international cooperation has worked to combat issues in the past. The chapter will highlight the criticality of cooperative institutions and organizations within the international community and how those organizations may stand up to the rising tide of nationalism around the world.

Nuclear Liability and Post-Fukushima Developments

The international community has developed a series of conventions on civil liability for nuclear damage, which aim to ensure compensation is available for damage, including transboundary damage, caused by a nuclear incident. Those conventions have struggled to gain universal adherence, and the “global regime” called for in 2011 is at best a patchwork quilt, with a number of treaties with differing memberships, and many States (including States with large and growing nuclear sectors) not party to any convention. However, the principles of the conventions are reflected in national laws in most States which operate nuclear power reactors and associated facilities. This chapter assesses the current global nuclear liability regime and discusses a series of recommendations made by the International Expert Group on Nuclear Liability (INLEX) to allow the international community to respond to the continued evolution of the nuclear industry.